Aakash Chopra makes a prediction for Vijay Shankar in IPL 2019

All-rounder Vijay Shankar came up with a counter-attacking game against Australia in the second ODI in Nagpur on Tuesday after India lost three wickets for 70-odd runs. The 28-year-old, who replaced Hardik Pandya in Australia when the latter was serving suspension, has impressed with his batting skills and is considered a dark horse to make it to the Indian squad for the World Cup starting off on May 30. Vijay slammed 46 from 41 balls to add crucial 81 runs with captain Virat Kohli (116) to bring the hosts back into the game.

Former India Test opener Aakash Chopra was impressed with Vijay’s batting performance and even went to the extent of predicting something big for the Tamil Nadu batsman. He said that Vijay will be the ‘talk of the town in IPL’ starting March 23. Vijay played for Delhi Capitals (Daredevils then) last year and played 13 games scoring 212 runs at a staggering strike rate of 143-plus. This year, he will be playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team which he had played for in the past before shifting base to Delhi.

Vijay Shankar’s batting will be the talk of the town in the IPL. Will play some match winning knocks this season. Early call. #SRH #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 5, 2019

Vijay missed a certain & well-deserved fifty in Nagpur

Vijay was in sublime touch in the Nagpur ODI he came in at No.5 instead of the in-form Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He hit five fours and one six and scored at a strike rate of over 112. However, he was dismissed in the most unfortunate manner as a straight drive from Kohli hit the bowler’s fingers and the stump with Vijay stranded short of the crease.

The man was set for a clear fifty, also his maiden in international cricket, but it was not to be eventually. The 46 though became his highest score in the format, bettering 45 he scored against New Zealand in Wellington last month.

Vijay, who made his IPL debut in 2014 for Chennai Super Kings, has played 18 matches in the tournament so far at an average of above 50 and strike rate of over 140. He though has done ordinarily in bowling, picking up just one wicket in the tournament at an average of 77.

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